Suspicious death investigation in Springfield

Fairfax County Police are investigating a mysterious shooting death in Springfield.

Police said they responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 7100 block of Healy Drive at around 6 p.m. on Jan. 1. Upon their arrival to the home, police said no one answered the door. Concerned for the welfare of the residents, officers attempted multiple phone calls to the home.

Police deployed additional officers to the incident, and upon their forced entry into the home at approximately 9 p.m., officers located the body of a woman who had sustained an apparently fatal gunshot wound. She was identified as Serena Hansken-Vierimaa, 41. Police said her husband, Aaron Vierimaa, 41, was not injured. He was charged with obstruction of justice for not opening the door for police. The investigation is continuing. Police said the Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death. Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Bank robbery in Herndon

Herndon police are seeking a suspect in a bank robbery.

According to police, at about 2:30 p.m. Dec. 27, a man entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 1099 Elden St. in Herndon, jumped the counter and took money from the teller. Police said the suspect’s face was covered with a tan-colored scarf or bandana, and it is unknown if he was armed. An undetermined amount of cash was taken. The man is described by police as a black or Hispanic male, mid-to-late 20s with curly black hair, thin build and about 5 foot 10 inches tall. Police say he was also wearing a black and white checkered jacket with dark colored sleeves. Anyone with information regarding this bank robbery is asked to call the Herndon Police at 703-435-6846.

Man hospitalized after shooting in Falls Church

The City of Falls Church Police Department is seeking information on a shooting that took place around 4:30 a.m. Dec. 28 in the 900 block of West Broad St.

Police said they responded to a call for shots fired. Police said Carlos Gonzales, 23, of Arlington was shot four times in the torso. He was transported to Fairfax Hospital in stable condition. Police said Gonzales’ black Mercedes four-door sedan was found at the scene.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the City of Falls Church Police Department at 703-241-5053.

Accidental Centreville townhouse fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a townhouse fire about 7:45 p.m. Dec. 28 in the Centreville area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located in the 14000 block of Cedar Key Landing.

Firefighters said they encountered smoke and fire coming from the front and roof of a middle-unit two-story townhouse upon arrival. The fire was initially reported by a Fairfax County helicopter crew. The incident commander struck a second alarm, bringing about 60 firefighters to the scene. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack and brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes. Firefighters contained the fire to the second floor and roof of the townhouse, with minor fire extension to an adjacent unit. No one was home when the fire broke out. Three adults and three children were displaced from the fire dwelling, along with three occupants from the adjacent townhouse. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. An electrical power strip in an upstairs bedroom caused the fire.

Bank robbery in Fort Hunt

Police are seeking a bank robber that may be responsible for at least two Fairfax County bank robberies.

Police said that on Dec. 23 a man entered the BB&T Bank at 6110 Fort Hunt Road and demanded cash from a teller. An undisclosed amount of cash was handed over and the suspect fled. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as black and about 5 feet 7 inches tall. He was wearing a green reflective vest, white hard hat and sunglasses. Detectives are investigating the possibility this may be the same suspect in a robbery in the Franconia Area.

Accidental West Centreville apartment fire

Fairfax County Fire fighters responded to a garden apartment fire about 7:15 p.m. Dec. 28 in West Centreville. The Forest Glen Senior Apartments are in the 14000 block of Woodmere Court.

Firefighters said they encountered heavy smoke on the second floor of the four-story, 83-unit apartment complex upon their arrival. Fire alarms in the building activated with several occupants on a balcony in distress. The incident command struck a second alarm, bringing about 60 firefighters to the scene. Firefighters simultaneously conducted a primary search and fire attack in a second floor bedroom, rescuing two occupants. The fire was quickly extinguished in the bedroom closet. Additionally, apartment sprinklers activated, helping to control the fire. Two occupants were transported to Fairfax INOVA Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Five occupants in three separate units have been displaced because of heavy water damage. Damage is estimated at $10,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. An iron in a bedroom closet caused the fire.

Bank robbery in Annandale

Fairfax County police responded to a report of a robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank, 6565 Little River Turnpike, on Dec. 27. Police say a man reportedly entered the bank around 5:20 p.m., demanded cash from a teller, and fled. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as between 45-55 years old, between 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, and 240 pounds. He wore a plaid blue jacket, blue jeans and a black baseball cap.

Sterling armed robberies concern law enforcement officials

Two Sterling women were the victims of armed robbery on Sunday. In one incident, a woman was asked at gunpoint to remove her clothing. The two separate incidents are believed to be related, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

The first event occurred at the 46500 block of Lynnhaven Square in Sterling, close to Potomac Falls High School. At around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, a woman was approached by a man who pulled a gun on her and demanded she drop what she was carrying and remove some clothing. Leaving her belongings behind, the victim ran into her home. She reported her purse was among the lost items.

Shortly after, another woman was unloading groceries on the 10200 block of Mckean Court in the Lowes Island area of Sterling. A man approached and pointed a gun at her. The woman screamed and fled the area. Nothing was reported taken.

Because of the proximity, timing and description of the robber, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office is considering the two cases to be related. Nearby jurisdictions have been contacted to see if similar robberies happened there as well. The suspect was described as a light-skinned black man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build and probably in his mid-to-late 20s. At the time of the robberies, he was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt partially concealing his face. He may have been driving a small burgundy or red car.

The Sheriff’s Office has asked that anyone with information on either of these incidents call the Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.

Accidental McLean house fire

A woman was injured and six cats perished in a McLean fire on Dec. 26.

Fairfax County firefighters said they responded to a house fire Thursday shortly after noon.

The single-family home is located in the 1900 block of Westmoreland Street.

Firefighters said they arrived within minutes of being dispatched to find smoke coming from two sides of the two-story single-family home.

“While quickly performing an aggressive search and interior attack crews located an elderly unconscious female and removed her,” said spokesman Capt. William Moreland.

Moreland said the woman was transported to Washington Hospital Burn Center with life-threatening injuries.

Firefighters said the fire was located in the kitchen and was quickly extinguished.

Fire officials said there were also eight animals found in the home. Six cats were found deceased. “Personnel provided care and aggressive oxygen therapy to the remaining cat and dog while transporting them to Suburban Animal Hospital where they have been treated and released,” Moreland said. Damage is estimated at $50,000. Fire officials said the cause of the fire was accidental, originating in an oven control assembly.